For a visitor in Canada looking to switch to a study permit:
- Take IELTS first if you need it — most applicants need IELTS to be issued a Letter of Acceptance in the first place, so this typically comes before anything else.
- Secure a Letter of Acceptance from a university, meeting their specific eligibility criteria. Requirements vary by institution, so confirm what they need before applying.
- Check the IELTS exemption rule. IELTS is generally required unless you come from a country where English is the medium of instruction — this varies by applicant, so verify against current IRCC criteria for your situation.
- Once you have your LOA, deposit the required program fee as part of the application process.
The thread didn't fully resolve the GIC-exemption question for visitors converting status, so confirm current GIC requirements directly with IRCC or your institution before assuming exemption.